Answers (1)

There are various reasons for feeling week and tired. Among them are all the stress of dealing with this illness and wondering "what's next"? Do you have family around to support you or friends who visit to help around? Keeping hydrated is important even if you can only take a few sips at a time... I would guess that you are a fighter because you have chosen this treatment plan. Well, I want to encourage you to take charge of you and start doing things that you never thought you could or have put off doing because there never seemed to be enough time.

You still need to eat well. I don't know what you like but you should be on a balanced... low sugar regime. There are plenty of good foods that you can buy or cook for yourself just for the experience of doing it. Do you have someone shop for you? Perhaps also getting protein drinks (like Ensure) and adding other fruits to it to boost it up in calories would be helpful.

I don't know what you are tolerating but mixing it up could be helpful yet making it easy on yourself could be helpful.

I used to make these protein drinks for my father-in-law. He was a most caring and loving person and I did whatever I could for him. Among those things were the daily "shakes" that I whipped up at home. I took the Ensure, added a good quality, high protein powder whey to it along with his favorite ice cream and Lactose, regular milk... not the fat free stuff. You do need fat in your diet. I used to throw in a banana also and just about anything that I could think of to boost it with nutrition, thickness, and flavors so he would enjoy it. I figured by the time I home-made this concoction and it was ready to drink, it contained about 900 calories and he drank it all.

Sometimes you need to be inventive... you know what you like... if you cannot fix it yourself... ask someone to help you. I wish I knew more about you so that I could offer more suggestions, Jeff... but this is a start. You could be tired from the medication, which is common, and stressed out from the illness.

I would love to hear more from you to see how you are doing and if I can offer you support, encouragement or just knowing someone cares. I am here for you and I am sorry I didn't see this sooner... I just joined this particular group today...

If you can exercise... and do some walking... that will help you get some of your steam back. Do you swim??? I go to a community center where they have a heated pool and do aquatic therapy. Water walking is good, hanging in the pool relaxes and decompresses the spine and straight lap swimming might be helpful, too.

Let me know how you are doing, Jeff, I would love to hear more from you.

First, thank you for the info. I'm Jeff's wife and I'm the one who's trying to get help for him. Jeff has a good appetite, he just feels sluggish and wore out all the time. He has trouble sleeping at night too because of the side effects so that doesn't help. It's like he's going through menopause but unfortunatly his won't go away with time. He has to push himself to keep active. He'll have to be on both medications for the rest of his life. So we're just trying to come up with something to help give him energy. Jeff's only 52 and was diagnossed at age 48. So far his PSA has been undetectable and that's what the vantas is for. The anti depressant is to help with the hot flashes that the vantas causes, it also takes the edge off a little to help him deal with everything.I cook healthy, lot's of veggies and fruit. I told him about the Ensure and I'm going to pick some up for him to try. I thougth I'd try making a smoothie with it. I've been trying to get him to walk with me and work out, we have a treadmill and a bow flex. I just have to get him on them.Thank you again and hope to hear from you soon,Marylu

I am glad you responded. It sounds like you have good instincts there. Making sure he eats well... start off exercising slow because if he hasn't been doing anything... walking to the mailbox could seem tough. But let him take his time and develop his own pace. It is nice walking together and stuff but my husband, for instance, cannot always do that with me and sometimes I need the time to myself.

His he interested in photography or other "arts"??? I have had quite a few surgeries and photography has saved me from just wanting to sit at home. Just a thought.

Using the Ensure and making a shake with it was a good way for me to share with my father-in-law. He didn't much like what he was being fed so I boosted those things up pretty good with whatever I could think of... he loved them and they were refreshing. It certainly is hot enough for them... that is for sure!

He needs to stay well hydrated. Keep soda "low" to "none"... not very good for you any way. But water will help with a variety of issues as well as making those blood cells nice and happy. He should rest when he needs to and do things as he feels. Give him time... this is a lot to deal with for him and for you. Make sure to take time for you, too, okay??? Give yourself permission. It will do wonders for the both of you.

I would love to stay in touch and know how you are doing and your husband. Take good care and blessings are coming your way.

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